Needle-straightening machine



Nov. 25, 1924- M. L. RE!DINGER NEEDLE STRAIGHTENING MACHINE Filed May 5. 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet. 1

JNVENTOR ATTORNEY NOV. 25; M. L. REIDINGER NEEDLE STRAIGHTENING MACHINE Filed May 5. 192] 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 AORNEY Nov. 25, 1924- M.- L. REIDINGER NEEDLE STRAIGHTENING MACHINE 192] 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 5,

ATTORNEY Ng'v, 25, 1924.

' M; L. REIDINGER NEEDLE STRAIGHTENING MACHINE 5 Sheets-She Filed May 5 INVIENTOR ATTORNEY Ngv 25, I M, L. REIDINQEH NEEDLE 'STRAIGHTENING MACHINE 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Med May Y 5,

u n V INVENTOR fiiwm K M's-Toma Patented Nov. 25, 1924.

NITED STATES isiaeai PATENT oFFic.

MAXXVELL L. REIDINGER, OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE SING-ER B'IANUFACTURING- COMPANY, OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION 0]? new JERSEY.

NEEDLE-STRAIGHTENING IVIACHIITE.

Application filed May 5,

T 0 GM whom it may concern:

Be it known that MAXWELL L. R-ErniNGnn, acitizen of the United States, residing at Elizabeth, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Needle- Straightening Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to automatic straightening machines for straightening light bars or Wires and particularly sewing machine needles. The machine is of the type disclosed in the patent to Noon, No. 1.,125,706, dated January 19, 1915.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide a machine of this type which will have a greatly increased capacity over the old type of machine in order to materially increase production. This is. accomplished. by so arranging the straightener mechanism and the needle feeding and removing mechanisms as to reducethe time re quired to remove a straightened needle from straightening position and placing an unstraightened needle therein.

Another object is. to provide improved means for transferring the unstraightened needles to the straightening position and removing the straightened needle therefrom, which means will be simple in construction and thus not liableto get out: of order and which will be reliable in operation.

In its preferred form, the improvements, comprises a plurality of separated rigid supports one of which is movable "toward and from the other and is provided with a recess serving as a hearing within which the shank of the needle is revolubly held by a spring pressed rotator supplying a yielding and resilient pressure thereon to secure the same in straightening position and at the same time .to rotate the needle. A straightener in the form of a rapidly reciprocating hammer operates upon the needle-blade between the supports and constantly close to the stationary support. This hammer is mounted on an arm extending transversely of the needle so that it and its operating mechanism is located at one side of the needle to leave the spaces at the other side and in front of the needle for the needle ejecting and feeding means. This arrange ment allows the various mechanisms to op- 1921. Serial No. 466,872.

crate simultaneously and the feeding of the unstraightened needle to the support while this support is in initial straightening position so that the operation of straightening may be commenced immediately after the needle is placed in the support, thus reducing to a minimum the time required between consecutive straightening operations for the removal of the straightened needle and the placing of the unstraightened needle in straightening position.

The action of the hammer is governed by an impact-regulator which is preferably controlled in its operation by a feeler contacting with and deriving movements from the eccentric movements of the needle adjacent the stationary support as the needle is rotated.

The present improvement will be more fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which F l is a plan view of the needle straightening machine. F 2 is a sectional elevation substantially on the line of the needle. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional elevation substantially on the line 3, 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is av detail sectional view of the means for moving a needle from the supply hopper. Fig. 5 is a detail view at the straightening point showing the means for transferring a needle from the hopper to the needle support immediately after a needle has been gripped by this transfer means. Fig. 6 is a view similar to F 5 but showing the transfer mechanism as partly advanced and with the ejector withdrawing the needle from the straightening position. Fig. 7 is a view similar to Figs. 5 and 6 showing the position of the parts immediately after an unstraightened needle is clamped in straightening position. Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the parts immediately after the straightening operation has begun with the transfer mechanism nearly retracted to its normal inoperative position. Fig. 9 is a. detail plan view showing the elements in positions corresponding to Fig. 6, a porttion of the hopper being shown in section. Fig. 10 is a plan view similar to Fig. 9 showing the needle ejector immediately after it has engaged the needle. Fig. 11 is a detail sectional elevation of the mechanism for raising the friction wheel to allow for the insertion and removal of the needle. Fig. 12 is loo parts of the mechanism.

Fig. 17 is a detail section showing a part of the transfer operating mechanism. Fig. 18

' is a perspective view of the hammer head.

Figs. 19 and 20 are detail sectiolnil and end elevations respectively of a portion of the friction wheel driving mechanism. Fig. 21 is aview showing the development of the 1am for )roducing the relative feeding movement between the needle and the straightening means. Fig. is a perspective view of the end of the needle transfer bar. Fig. 23 is a perspective of the mounting for the automatic impact regulator and Fig. 24 is a detail perspective of a portion of the support for the needle rotating means.

Main driver-The machine is constructed with a frame'comprising the base-plate 1 to which are secured by means of screws 2 the feet 3 of the end standards 4t which support the bed 5 sustaining the various operative Referring more particularly to Figs. 2 and 3 it will be noted that secured to the lower side of the bed 5 are the bearings 6 in which is journaled the cam-shaft 7 having fixed thereon the wormwheel 8 meshing with the worm 9 secured upon the transverse main-shaft 10 mounted in bearings 11 secured upon the base-plate 1. Loosely mounted upon the main-shaft is the hub 12 of the grooved belt-wheel 13 which is encircled by a belt 14f from the source of power for rotating the main-shaft, which in this case is a second grooved pulley P on a power-shaft S.

The rearward end of the hub 12 is formed with a projecting clutch-tooth 15 adapted for engagen'ient with the similar clutchtooth 16 upon the adjacent face of the collar 17 fixed upon the main-shaft. From a second pulley 1.8 on the shaft 5 a belt 19 runs over the grooved belt-wheel 2O fixed upon the transverse hammer-actuating shaft 21 journaled in the spaced bearing standards 22 extending upwardly from the rear side of the bed 5, see Fig. 1. The forward end of the hub 12 of the driving belt-wheel 13 is formed with an annular groove 23 entered by the flattened head 2a of the shift-lever 25 pivotally mounted by means of the studscrew 26 upon the post 27 rising from the base-plate 1 and affording a means of shifting the pulley 13 endwise of the driving shaft for effecting the engagement and disengagement of the clutch-members l5 and 16 so as to connect and disconnect the driving shaft 10 and its source of power at the will of the operator. A flat spring R cooperates with a lug 25 on the under side of lever 25 to yieldingly retain the shiftlever in either position.

Hammer and its actuating mechanism.- (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 12). The hammer-actuating shaft 21 has fixed thereon the hub 28 of the cam-wheel or trip 29 formed with a series of peripheral teeth 30 having inclined outer faces to effect a wiping engagement with the concavelv curved adiacent edge of the arm 31 having a split hub 32 rigidly secured by means of the clamp-screw 33 upon the hammer rock-shaft 34 journaled in the bearing standards 22 parallel with the actuating shaft 21, said hub having projecting laterally therefrom opposite the arm 31 a second arm 35 formed m its upper side with the spaced notches 36 to receive the loop 37 at the upper end of a tension spring 38 whose lower end is attached to a staple 39 upon the bed 5. The spring 38 serves to yieldingly maintain the arm 31 in operative relation with the hammer-retracting camwheel 29 and assists the other parts of the hammer mechanism in producing its impact. As shown in detail in Figs. 14 and 15 the hammer rock-shaft 3 1 has formed integral therewith the block 40 having a lateral wing 11 to afford a striking shoulder 12, to be later referred to, and a forward extension The split hub :14 of the hammer-helve 4:5 is formed with the spaced ears 46 drawn together by means of the screw 47 to clamp the same upon the hammer-shaft 3a, and the outer end of the helve has adjustably secured thereon the hammer-head 48 with flattened operative portion or nose 49 in the form of a separate hardened plate secured to the head 48 by means of a screw 49, the hammerhead being formed with a slit 48 leading into the aperture for the helve, and a clamp-screw 48 being applied transversely ofsaid slit. The flattened upper side of the helve adjacent the hub lies beneath the extension 13 of the block so and is secured thereto by means of the screw 50 passing through the part 43 and tapped into the helve, an adjusting screw 51 being tapped through the extension as and its point resting upon the top of the helve. By manipulation of the screws 47. 50 and 51 in a well known manner the position of the hammerhead relative to its shaft 3 1 may be adjusted.

It will be noted from Fig. 1 that the axes of the hammer-operating shaft 21 and the hammer shaft 34: extend substantially parallel with and to one side of the needle a so that the hammer helve 15 extends transversely of the needle and preferably substantially at right angles thereto. It is obvious by this arrangement that the hammer and its operating mechanism occupies very little space near the needle, leaving plenty of space on the opposite side of and in alignment with the needle for the needle feeding and 6360f ing mechanism which will be more fully de scribed later.

l'Il U'iZr-AdjtlCQIlli the path of reciprocatory movement of the hammer is disposed the anvil or bladesupport 52 formed with a wedge-shaped blunt upper extremity 58 and provided at the lower end with a flange 54 having tapped through it the adjusting screw 55 whose point rests upon the top of a block 55 set into a recess 55 in the top of the bed 5. The anvil is fitted within a channel in the bearing block 56 in which it is secured by means of the clan'ip-screw 57 passing through a slot 58 .in the bearing block and tapped into the anvil. The hearing block 56 is provided with the late-rally extending feet 59 formed with the elongated apertures 60 entered by the shanks of the fastening screws 61 by which the bearing block is secured upon the bed 5 for adjustment both endwise and crosswise of the operative face of the anvil, the slots 60 exceeding somewhat in width the diameter of the screws 61.

Relative feed between hammer and needle. -One end portion of the bed 5 is formed upon its upper side with a longitudinal guideway or slideway 62 with marginal guide-bars 63 secured thereon by means of the screws 64: to overhang said slideway, within which latter is fitted the sliding carriage 65 from which depends through a clearance slot 66 in the bed a stud 67 having the anti-friction roller 68 which enters the cam-groove 69 in a cam-cylinder '70 fixed upon the cam-shaft 7, and from which the carriage receives its to-and-fro traveling movements longitudinally of the bed.

The shape of the cam-groove 69 will be seen by reference to Fig. 21, wherein the straight portion 69 constitutes the initial dwell for presentation of the needle-blade adjacent the shank to the hammer for a succession of straightening blows in the ad Vance position of the needle over the anvil or needle-blade support, the inclined portion 69" produces the lei'igthwise feed of the needle for distribution of the hammer blows along the needle-blade, and the straight portion 69 arrests the feed of the needle to present that portion of the blade adjacent the eye for a final series of hammer blows. After the arrest of the hammer reciprocations, the roller-stud 6S enters the abruptly inclined portion 69 of the cam-groove to produce a rapid forward movement of the needle to initial straightening position wherein it is maintained by the straight portion 69 while the straightened needle is ejected from the movable support or holder and an nnstraightened needle inserted therein, and the initial straightening blows adjacent the shank are delivered as stated above.

after which the traverse of the roller-stud 68 through the inclined cam-groove portion 69 causes the advance of the needle to extreme retracted position again. The dwell portions 69 and 69 while represented as disposed in planes perpendicular to the axis of the cam-cylinder 70, are not necessarily so related to the planes above mentioned, as a slight inclination thereof so as to correspondingly distribute the concentrated primar and final series of straightening impacts near the opposite ends of the needleblade in contrast with the intermediate distributed series of blows may be found desirable under certain circumstances. and with needles of certain tempers. It is obviously immaterial whether the feeding movements derived from the can'i-cylinder T0 be imparted to the needle-holder '74: or to the hammer and adjacent anvil, as the straightening action would be the same in either case.

Needle-supp0rt.-Upon the forward end of the carriage 65 is secured by means of screws 71 passing through apertures therein the plate 73 having projecting from its upper face the block 74 constituting the needleshank support. The block 7% is shown provided in the top with an undercut transverse groove in which is fitted the similarly formed hardened bushing 75 having in its upper face the needle-shank receiving groove or pocket 7 6 (Fig. 3) of substantially V-shape in cross-section, and thus provided with outwardly and upwardly inclined forward and rearward walls to facilitate the lateral introduction and removal of the needle-shanks. The bushing 7 5 is secured in position by means of a clamp-screw '77 tapped into the block 74 with its point engaging the adjacent side wall of the bushing. One of the upper corners of the block 74 is cut away to form the longitudinal groove 79 tranverse to the pocket 7 6, and to the adj a-- cent edge of the blocl; is secured by means of the screws 80 the stop -plate 81 whose upupper edge extends somewhat above the top of the bushing 75 and which forms with the notch 79 a runway transverse to the pocket 76 the function of which will be iiresently described.

The needle-suji port afforded by the block 74 and its bushing 75 serves to sustain the shank n of the needle at one side of the pathof the hammer, while the anvil affords a support for the needle blade adjacent and at the opposite side of the hammer-path. lVhile the traveling needle-support is herein shown and described as affording a means of producing a relative feeding movement between the needle and the hammer, it is evidently immaterial to the present invention which of these members receives the actual feeding movement so long as their relation so, controlled in the operation of the machine as to effect the exposure to the lll) action of the hammer of different portions of the needle-blade throughout that portion of its length between the eye and the shank.

Needle rotating merma.-l7isposed above,

" bearing bracket formed with a vertical guideway 86 in which is fitted the vertically movable journal-box 87 for the adjacent end of the friction-wheel shaft 83, the bearing bracket being provided above the same with an upright socket 88 having in its upper end a screw-plug 89 with lock-nut 90 between which and the top of the box 87 is interposed the spring 91 acting through the shaft 83 to press the friction-wheel 82 toward the bushing 75 and into operative engagement with the shank a, of a needle n disposed in the groove or pocket 76. The opposite end portion of the shaft 83 is formed with a longitudinal groove 83*. (Figs. 19 and 20) entered by a spline 92 secured by means oftransverse pins 93 within a bushing 94 slidingly fitted upon the shaft and formed with a neck 95 which is loosely fitted to an aperture in the tilting bearing block 96 pivotally mounted by means of the pin 97 within a fork in the upper end of the post 98 rising from the bed 5. Upon the reduced outer end of the bushing 94 is secured by means of the nut 99 the pinion 100 locked against rotation thereon by means of the spline 92 and meshing with the intermediate gear 101 which meshes in turn with the actuating gear 102 fixed upon the outer end of the cam-shaft 7. The connection between the shaft 83 and the bearing block 96 is sufiiciently loose to enable the shaft to slightly change its angular relation with the carriage under the influence of the toand-fro longitudinal movement of the journal-box 87.

In order to permit the introduction and removal of needles in the pocket 76, pro vision is made for temporarily retracting or lifting the friction-wheel 82 in opposition to its spring 91. On the shaft 83 is secured a sleeve 83 beneath which extends one arm 103 of a yoke-lever fulcrumed upon the stud-screw 1.04 intermediate the spaced bearing lugs 105 of the bed and provided with a second arm 106 formed with a depending nose-piece 107 having a backwardly and downwardly inclined operative edge adapted for engagement with the cam 108 fixed upon the cam-shaft 7 adjacent the cam-cylinder 70 and provided with. a peripheral tooth or projection 109 adapted by its engagement with the nose-piece 107 of the lever-arm 106 to lift the same and maintain it elevated for a short period in each rotation of the cam-shaft, thereby engaging the lever-arm 103 with the sleeve 83 and cansing the retraction or lifting of the friction-wheel from engagement with the needle-shank. Ample clearance is thus provided for removal of the straightened needle and introduction of the unstraightened needle preparatory to a succeeding straightening operation.

To prevent the descent of the frictionwheel 82 into contact with the needle-sup port, the bearing bracket 85 has secured adjustably thereto by means of the screw 110 passing through a slot 111, the stopplate 112 having a flange 113 adapted for engagement wit-h the adjacent end of the journal-box 87 so as to limit its downward movement under the action of the spring 91.

Hammer impact regu-Zatma-(Figs. 1 2, 3 and 12). Secured upon the bed 5 adjacent one of the bearing studs 22 by means of screws 114 is the foot 115 of an abutment 116 formed with an inclined and circularly curved shoulder 117 toward and from which the shoulder 42 of the striker 41 moves upon the shaft 34 during the operation of the hammer. Intermediate the shoulders 42 and 117 is interposed the wedge-shaped space-block 118 constituting the active member of the impact regulator and which is sustained by means of an elastic stem 119 bent transversely from the outer end of a vibratory lever 120 the opposite end of which is secured in a slot in a round shank 121 by means of a screw 122. The shank 1421 is fitted to a transverse aperture 123 in a collar 124 secured to the feeler-block shaft 125 having journals at its opposite ends in bushings 126 secured by means of set-screws 127 in the spaced standards 128 of a controller bracket 129 having a foot 130 provided with elongated transverse apertures 131 ente le'd byihe shanks of the fastening screws 132 by means of which said bracket is adjustably secured upon the bed The shank 121 is secured adjustably within the aperture 123 by means of a set-screw 133 the shank 121 being provided with a flat surface 134 against which the end of the screw 133 rests.

Any suitable means may be employed for connecting the wedge-block 118 resiliently with the vibratory lever 120 but it is important that such connection be sufficiently rigid to sustain the wedge-block in its movement along the face of the abutment 117 so as to avoid as much as possible any frictional resistance to such movement. As shown more particularly in Fig. 12 the inner face of the space-block 118 is substantially rolnen'tric with the controller shaft and the adjacent face of 'the abutment 117 is correspondingly curved so as to enable the space-block to more as closely as possible thereof without actually touching it in its movement under the influence of the lever 126.

The rock-shaft 125 has secured thereon by means of the stud-screw a block 136 to which is secured a laterally extending arm .137 at the free end of which is secured by means of a screw 138 a feeler block 1 :39. The lever 137 is secured to the top of the block 136 by means of a screw 140 extending through a slot 141 formed in theshank of the lever 187. By means of this screw and slot connection the lever 137 may be adjusted radially of the shaft 125 to properly position the feeler block 139 with respect to the needle to be straightened. It will be noted from Fig. 12 that the upper surface of the feeler'block 139 bears upon the under side of the needle a while the same is in straightening position. Also secured upon the shaft 125 is a block 1 12 to which is se cured by means of a screw 143 a bent arm 1 1 1 extending under the outwardly bent end 1 15 of an angle-plate 1&6 secured to the outer vertical surface of one of the upstandng standards 1-28 by means of a screw 1 17 extending through a slot in this plate and tapped into the standard. The plate 146 in conjunction with the rod 144- provides a stop to prevent the feeler block be ing raised too far with respect to the position of the needle which limiting position may obviously be varied by adjusting the plate 1 16 upon the standards 128. A second stop 1&6 is adjustably secured to the verti al face of one of the bearings 22 by means of a screw H6 passing through a slot 146*. This plate has an extension 146 at its upper end projecting over the lever 120.. The feeler block 189 is held in contact with the under side of the needle by means of the light spring 148 the upper end of which is bent over the lever 120. The lower end is secured to the bed 5 by means of the screw 141-9.

As will be evident by reference to the drawings the feeler is preferably arranged at the side of the anvil 52 or stationary needle support opposite the path of movementcf the hammer and contacts or engages with the side of the needle on the opposite side from that on which the hammer operates.

Needle eject0r.On the opposite side of the needle from the hammer operating mechanism as shown in F 1 and 3, is located the needle-ejector comprising a lever 150 pivoted to an upstanding bracket 151 by means of a screw 152, the bracket 151 being secured to the top of the base-plate 1. Mounted upon pins 153 at the upper end of the lever 156 is a plate 15 1 on the underside of which is secured by means of screws 155 the forks 156 adapted to straddle the pins 15 and the plate 151- carries at its o posite end two rods 157 provided at their ends wlth downwardly bent hooks 158. The rods 157 are secured in Q'I'OOVQS 15$) 'iiOllTlGCl in the upper surface of the plate 154, by means of a clamp-block 160 which is secured in posiby means of a screw 1.62 is a flat spring 163 bent so that its free end rests upon the top of the plate 154 tending to hold this plate with the hooks 1 58 on top of the chute and supporting elements for the needles and to engage the hooks over the needles as will be later described. Pivotally secured to the lever 150 adjacent the lower end thereof by means of the screw 16 1 is a link 165, the other end of which is pivoted by means of a screw 166 to a lever 167 fulc'rumed on the block 168 secured to the base-plate 1. The lever 167 carries at its upper end aroller 169 contacting the edge of a cam 170 upon the shaft 7 under the influence of a spring 167 secured at one end to the lever 167 and at the other end to a pin 167 projecting down wardly from the under side of the bed In certain timing relation with the needle straightening operation the hooks 158 are advanced and retracted by the spring 167 and cam 170 to withdraw a straightened needle from needle-straightening position on the block 75. Then the hooks 158 are advanced one of them follows the groove 79 formed at the end of the block 75 adjacent the stop-plate 81 and because the outer ends of these hooks are curved they slide over the shank of the needle, one hook on either side of the friction wheel 82 (Fig. 6) and as this wheel is lifted before they are withdrawn, the withdrawal of these hooks will remove the straightened needle from the groove 76 in the block 75, and it passes down the inclined surface 17 .1 into the chute 172 and is dropped into the receptacle 17? secured to the forward edge of the bed 5. Between the rear edge of the inclined niemher 171 and the needle supporting block: '75 is a guide-block or plate 171 secured to the carriage by screws 1.71 This block supports and guides the hooks 158 between the member 171 and the block 75.

Needle happen-Located on the rear of the bed 5 but at the opposite end from the sliding block 65 is located the needle-hop per 17% provided with the vertical ends 175 and 176 and inclined side walls 177 and 178 making the space within the hopper contracted at the lower end thereof. Adjustably secured within the hopper is a plate 179 provided with spaced studs 180 adapted to extend through openings in lugs 181 secured to the wall 175 which lugs are pro- .vided with set-screws 182. By this con struction the plate 179 may be adjusted within the hopper to provide for needles of different length from point to butt end of shank and to align the ends of the needle of given length, and then secured in adjnsted position by means of the screws 182. The lower open end of the hopper is closed by a segment 183 pivoted at 184 in a block 185 set in an opening in the bed 5. The upper surface of this segment 183 is formed on the arc of a circle with a center at 184C and is provided, in the present instance, with one or more shallow grooves 186 which, however, are not of sufficient depth to receive the entire shank of the needle, and near th forward end thereof with a deeper groove 187 which is substan tially the depth of the diameter of the needle-shank. The lower end of the support 183 for the segment has pivoted thereto at 188 a lever 189 provided with an anti friction roller 190 adapted to bear against the surface of the cam 191 mounted on the shaft 7, see Fig. 4. The opposite end of the lever 189 is provided with an adjusting screw 192, the end of which abuts against the support 183 for the segment. The earn 191 as shown in Fig. 4 is provided with a plurality of shallow recesses 193 and an outwardly extending lug or projection 194:.

As the cam rotates the recesses 193 acting upon the roller 190 oscillate the segment 183 back and forth a small amount to agitate the lower needles in the hopper slightly with the assistance of grooves 186, to insure that a needle will be received within the recess 187, so that when the segment is advanced by operation of the lug 19 1 upon the roller 190 the needle in the recess 187 will be removed from the hopper by being carried under the forward edge of the opening in th lower part thereof. A spring 19:) is secured to the segment 183 at one end and to a stationary part of the machine by a pin 196 at its other end and tends to hold said segment retracted in the position shown in F ig. 1.

The inclined side walls 177 and 178 of the hopper are provided with slots 197 through which may be extended a rod or bar 198 slidably mounted upon the upper end of a post 199 by means of a bracket 200, the post 199 being vertically adjustable within the bearing bracket 201 secured to the forward end of the bed by means of a sleeve 201 fitting in a vertical opening in the bracket 201. The sleeve 201 has an eccentric opening through it for the stud 199 and by turning th sleeve in its open 111g in bracket 201 the bar 198 m y be ad justed siclewise because of the eccentric location of its opening and properly aligned with the slots 197. The bracket 200 is slidably connected with the top of the post 199 by means of a T-shaped tongue and slot 199 and 199 respectively. The bar 198 is adapted to rest upon the pile of needles in the hopper and if desired a weight may be secured upon the bracket 200 to increase the pressure thereof sufficiently to insure that a needle is always within the recess 187 within the upper curved surface of the segment 183 when the same is advanced to supply an unstraightened needle to the transfer mechanism which will now be described.

Needle transfer mcchanism.-The trans fer mechanism is located to reciprocate longitudinally of the needle in front of the lower end of the hopper and comprises a slide-bar 202 which is mounted to slide within a groove 203 in the upper end of a post 204 secured upon the upper surface of the bed 5 at one end thereof as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Secured to the upper side of the slide-bar 202 is a pin 205 to which is pivoted at 206 a link 207 the other end of this link being pivoted at 208 to one end of a lever 209 fulcrumed at its opposite end at 210 to a bracket 211 secured to the end of the bed 5. Intermediate the ends of the lever 209 is a pin 212 carrying an anti-friction roller 218 adapted to follow a cam groove 211 formed within a cam cylinder 215 mounted adjacent the end of the shaft 7 as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 16. A portion of one side of this cam groove is formed by means of a block 216 adjustably secured within a recess 217 formed in the cam cylinder 215 and is adjustable therein longitudinally of the shaft by means of elongated slots 218 through which pass screws 219 tapped into the body of the cam-cylinder. By adj usting this block longitudinally of the shaft it will be obvious that the amount of move ment imparted to the slide rod 202 may be varied if desired.

Adjacent the forward end of the slidebar 202 on its under side is secured a earn 220 adapted to contact with the upper surface of a head 221 on the top of a pin 221 vertically slid-able in a sleeve 22 secured in an opening passing through the bed .3, the lower end of the pin 221 being adapted. to bear upon the surface of the cam (Figs. 2 and 17) mounted upon the mainshaft 7.

Secured to a recess in the end of the slidebar 202 by means of a screw 224 is a clamp block 225 which is provided with a groove 226 (Figs. at and in the upper surface thereof adapted to receive the blade of a needle. The upper surface of the slide-bar 202 is also provided with a groove 202 (Fig. 10) in alignment with the groove 226. Pivot-ed within a recess 227 formed in the top of the slidebar 202 by means of a downwardly extending lug 228 and a pin 229 is a finger 230 provided at one'end with a pin 231 embraced by a spring 232 resting in a recess 233 also formed in the bar 202. The other end of the finger 230 is provided with an extension 23st adapted: to bear upon the upper surface of the needleblade under the action of the spring 232 to clamp the needle in the groove 202, 226 in the top of the bar 202 and block 225. Secured to the finger 230 adjacent the extension 234; and laterally projecting therefrom is a pin or stud 235 adapted when the bar 202 is retracted to the position shown in Fig. 2 to rest upon the upper surface of a locating linger 236which is substantially L-shaped and the vertical leg of which is adjustably secured toa' post 237 on the bed 5 by means of a screw 238 extending through a slot 239 in this vertical leg.

The needle hopper is supported on the bed 5 by means of an L-shapedmember: 2&0 (Figs. 1 and 2) fastened to the bed by screws 240. Secured to the forward edge of the vertical leg of this member is a bracket 2&1 provided with a vertical socket 2&2 open at itslower end to-receive a= plunger 243' shouldered at 2 14 and provided at its lower end with a roller 2&5 adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the slide-bar 202. Tithin the socket 242 is a spring 246 embracing the plunger 2 13 and resting on the bottom of the socket at one end and the shoulder 24 1 at the other end thus tending to press the slide-bar 202 downwardly. This spring 246 isstronger than the spring 232 so that when the plunger 221 is allowed to assume its lowest position by the cam 223 the spring 24:6 will force the bar 202 downwardly and as the stud 235 rests on top of the Lshaped position-finger 236 the spring 232 will be compressed allowing the gripping jaws formed by the finger 230 and the end of the bar 202 to open. The bracket 241 is secured to the member 2 10 by means of screws 24:7.

ti'ettiug of elements for effectz're 072cmtz'ow.-ln practice the needle holding and straightening members may be properly set for effective operation by first inserting a perfectly straight needle in the holding support and advancing the carriage to bring the needle-blade above the anvil 52 thenadjusting the top or operative edge of the anvil a few thousandths of an inch below the lower side of the needle-blade and finally setting the hammer upon its rockshaft by means of the adjusting screws 50 and 51 to bring the point or nose of the hammer head just into contact relation with the top of the needle-blade. hen the hammer is at rest in its extreme lower position it is thus set at a point slightly more removed from the plane of the face of the anvii than the diameter of the needle-blade. The hammer is successively lifted and released by engagement of the arm 31 with the peripheral teeth of the tripping cam 29, the hammer head being lifted to the same point in each retractive movement and performing its operative stroke under the influence of its own weight augmented by the action of the spring 38 until forcibly arrested by engagement of its striker with the space-block 118 interposed between the same and the fixed abutment or thrust block 116. The gyratory movements of the unstraight ened needle adjacent the anvil impart to the feeler arm 137 vibratory movements which are communicated to the lever 120 and trans mit to the space-block 113 its operative recipnocator-y movements. The position of the space-block obviously determines the stopping position of the shoulder 42 of the striker relative to the fixed shoulder 117 and thus determines the extent of theeffective stroke, and hence the effectiveness of the blow struck by the hammer. As the determination of the hammer stroke is by this means delayed until actually the instant that the blow is delivered to the needle, and as the control of its stroke is regulated by the deflection of the needle from its axis at the same instant, it will be seen that without interrupting the uniform rotation of the needle the hammer impact is positioned and governed with the greatest precision.

Means for rendering the hcmamer ineffectire-JVhile the needles are being introduced and removed from the needle support 75 and while they are being advanced across the anvil after they have been st aightened to bring them to ejecting position it is requisite that the hammer shall be maintained out of action. Instead of arresting the operation of the hammer actuating means, this is allowed to continue its action idly at such times, and the hammer is maintained in raised position by engagement of its helve 4-5 with the notched head 248 of a vertically disposed stop bar or plunger 24 0 mounted for vertical movement in a tubular bearing post 250 mounted in the bed its lower end being pressed by means of the spring 251 against the end of an adjustable stop screw 252 mounted in the end of a lever 253. The screw 252 may be secured in adjusting position by means of a lock-nut 254. The lever 253 is lfulcrumed at 255-in a downwardly extending post 256 secured to the under side of the bed 5, the other end of the lever being provided with an extension 257 adapted to contact with the periphery of the lifting cam 258 fixed upon the shaft 7 This cam is formed in two sections 259 and 260 arranged side by side and formed with substantially circular peripheries having projections 261 and 262 respectively forming operative portions. The hub 263 of the primary section 259 is secured adjustably upon the cam-shaft 7 by means 051 the set-screw 264; and the hub 205 ot the auxiliary section is fitted upon the hub 263 of the primary section and secured for circular adjustment thereon by means of the set-screw 266. By shifting one of these sections upon the other the effective length of the operation of the composite cam thus formed may be lengthened or shortened to produce the requisite period of inaction of the hammer which is determined by the. length of the needleblade between the eye and the shank. This cam is substantially the same as the cam used for rendering the hammer ineifective in the above mentioned patent to Noon.

The operation is as follows Starting with a needle in the initial position of the straightened position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the carriage 65 is fully advanced so that the hammer starts action upon the blade of the needle adjacent the shank and because of the dwell 69 in the cam 69 it is allowed to deliver a number of blows at the same location on the needleblade. The friction-wheel 82 is pressed down on the top of the needle-shank under the action of the spring 91 and is being rotated through the gearing 102, 101, 100 and is thus rotating or turning the needle within the groove 76 in the block or support 75. As the roller 68 leaves the dwell 69 the carriage 65 is gradually retracted drawing the blade of the needle over the tops of the anvil 52 and the feeler block 139 and past the nose of the hammer so that a series of blows are delivered to the needle-blade throughout its length until the roller 68 reaches the dwell 69 which allows a plurality of blows to be delivered to the needle adjacent the point for the reasons stated above. During this retractive movement of the carriage 65 as the needle is being rotated its gyratory movements will impart rising and falling movements to the ieeler block 139 which will be depressed more or less according to the amount of curvature in the needle, and this depression will be transmitted to the block 118 which, acting between the stop shoulders 117 and 1-2, will as previously explained, regulate in turn the strength of the blow of the hammer upon the needle according to the curvature in said needle. Immediately the carriage reaches its extreme retracted position the hammer is raised to inoperative position. by action of the cam 258 operating through the lever 253 and plunger 219. At the same time the segment block 183 closing the opening in the bottom of the hopper is advanced under the action of the cam 194 to carry a needle in the recess 187 from the hopper to a position in alignment with the jaws 234- and 225 of the transfer mechanism. The

" carriage then begins a forward movement under the action, of the cam 09, and at substantially the same time the plunger 221 is raised under the action of the cam 223 which in turn lifts the forward end of the bar 202 compressing spring 2 16 and allowing the finger 230 to be turned upon its pivot by the spring 232 causing the extension 234 to contact with the top of the needle-blade and clamp the same in the groove 226 in the top of the block 225 and in the groove 202 in the top of the bar 202, the location oi? these members being such that as soon as the blade of the needle is clamped the shank is lifted free from the groove 187 as shown in Fig. 5. The segment 183 is now retracted to its position under the hopper, shown in Fig. 4, leaving the needle clamped in the transfer mechanism. The carriage 65 con tinues its rapid forward movement until it reaches the extreme forward position when the ejector hooks 158 are rapidly advanced under the action of the spring 167 and cam 170 and slide over the needle-shank and hook the same as shown in Fig. 10. It will also be noted that in this figure these hook members straddle the friction wheel 82 which is still pressed upon the top of the needle-shank. This wheel is now raised under the action of the tooth 109 on the cam 108 through the lever 103 thus releasing the needle-shank and immediately the hooks 158 are withdrawn under the action of the cam 170 withdrawing the needle from the block or support 75 and it passes down the inclined surface 171 into the chute 172, and is deposited in the receptacle 173. While the straight needle is being withdrawn by the ejector mechanism, the slidebar 202 is advanced under the action of the cam 21 1, lever 209 and link 207 to transfer the unstraightened needle clamped therein as illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 and places the shank a of the unstraightened needle in the recess 76 which has just-been vacated by the straightened needle. As shown in Fig. 6 as the bar 202 is advanced the cam 220 rests on. the top of the post 237 thus holding the end of bar 202 elevated until the incline on the cam reaches the post when the end of the bar is allowed to gradually lower under the influence of this cam. In the position shown. in Fig. 6 the shank a of the needle is higher than the top of the support 75, but as the end of bar 202 is gradually low ered under the action of cam 220 the needleshank is laid on top of the support 75 as shown in Fig. 7, the friction wheel 82 being still raised as shown in dotted lines. As soon as the shank a is in position the wheel 82 is allowed to drop by the cam 108 thus clamping the needle shank within the groove. The transfer mechanism on the slide-bar 202 is immediately withdrawn releasing the needle-blade. the cam 258 at the same time allows the hammer to. drop into effective 1,51 mesa position and the straightening operation starts immediately. It will be thus seen that the unstrz-tightened needle is transferred to and placed in the holding and rotating mech anism while this mechanism is in advanced position and that the straightening operation commences immediately the needle has been deposited and clamped therein. By this arrangement the mechanism and time required for the removal of straightened and the insertion of unstraightened needles, that is the time required for the ejection and feeding of the needle between the successive straightening operations, is reduced to minimum'as the needle is placed in the supporting and turning mechanism in its initial straightening position. i

As the bar 202 and with it the needleclamping elements 230 and 225 are withdrawn after the needle has been placed on the support 75 as illustrated in Fig. 7, the cam 220 on the underside of bar 2(12 is drawn across the top of the post 237, which thus lifts the end of the bar 202. and with it the finger 230. The finger 230 is raisedsufliciently, as shown in Fig. 8, for the stud to pass over the top of the horizontal leg of the finger 236, andas the bar 202 is 'further retracted, to the left as shown in Figs. 5 to 8, the right hand end of the cam 220 passes off the top of the post 237. The plunger 221 and with it the head 221 having before this time been allowed to fall by the cam 223, when {the cam 220 passes off the post 287 the bar 202 is forced downwardly under the action of spring 2&6 and roller 245. But as the stud 235 is arrested by the top of finger 236 in the descent of bar 202, finger 230 is turned on its pivot 229 compressing spring282 leaving the clamping jaws open for the insertion of another needleby segment 183 as shown in Fig. 2.

The inclination of the axis of rotation of the friction wheel '82 relative to the needle recess 76 has a tendency to produce both circular and endwise movements of the needle, the endwise thrust serving 'to maintain the butt end of the needle-shank firmly pressed against the stop platc 81 so as to maintain the needle in fixed position upon its it 'avelling support, but it is obvious that this-inclination of the needlerotating means might readily be employed, by omission of the stop-plate, in producing the endwise feeding movements of the needle upon a stationary support without departure from the scope of the invention.

In operation the needle-shank is held resiliently upon its travelling support by the yielding rotating member 82 to enable the needle to accommodate itself to the peening action produced by the impact of the hammer intermediate the relatively movable sup ports, while the blow is directed upon the needle-blade adjacent the rigid support. The relation of the cams 69 and 258 is such, however, that the blows of the hammer upon the needle-blade are concentrated around the latter adjacent both the shank and the eye at the beginning and conclusion of the endwise feeding movements of the needle beneath the hammer.

The cylindrical surface of the needleshank has a bearing directly upon its support with the blade disposed very slightly above the operative edge of the anvil and rotates in contact with the walls of the cavity in its support during the straightening op eration so that the blade is gaged or centered with precision under the action of the ham mer relative to the shank, and the needle is thus held during the straightening operation in precisely the same way in which it is ultimately secured in the needleclamp of a sewing machine for cooperation with a loopta'ker in performing the stitch-forming operations.

During the needle straightening operation as the carriage is retracted the needle ejector hooks 158 are slowly advanced under the action of the cam 170 so that when at the end of the straightening operation the carriage 65 is advanced, these hooks lie immediately in front of the needle-support or block and are arranged in such a position that they may be rapidly advanced with a relatively small movementfiinto needle gripping position.

When the machine is assembled a suitable guard 267 is secured to the bed 5 over the gears 100, 101 and 102. A plate 268 is also secured over the slideway for the carriage 65 at the end thereof to prevent the entrance of dirt when the carriage 65 is advanced. There is also provided a guard over the outer end of the sliding bar 202 and its operating lever and link 209 and 207, portions of this guard being represented by the reference numeral 269 and-270 in Fig.1.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the present improvement involves principles of construction and arrangement of the various parts which are susceptible of embodiment in widely different forms and associations of parts, and that the present invention is not therefore limited to the details of construction and arrangement shown and described. herein.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what I claim herein is- 1. In a straightening machine, in combination, an impact-straightener, a needlesupport, means for producing relative feeding movements between the straightener and the needle-support during a straightening operation and for restoring the initial relation between them after the straightening operation is completed, and means for supplying a needle to said support while the elements are in initial straightening relation.

2. In a straightening machine, in combination, a needle-support, an impact-straightener, means for causing a series of separate straightening operations, means for producing relative feeding movements between the needle and the impact-straightener during each operation of the series, and means for supplying a needle to the needle-support nearly coincident with the beginning of a straightening operation.

3. In a straightening machine, in combination, a straightener, a needle-support, means for producing relative feeding movements between the straightener and the sup port during a straightening operation and for restoring the initial relation between them after the straightening operation is completed, means for removing the straightened needle from said support, and means for transferring an unstraightened needle to said support while the elements are in initial straightening relation.

at. In a straightening machine, in combination, an anvil, an impact-straightener adapted to operate in a path adjacent said anvil, a needle-support, a yieldingly mounted friction wheel adapted to coact with said support to secure a needle thereon and to rotate the same, means for causing relative feeding movements between the straightener and the support and for returning them to initial straightening relation, means for rel atively separating the needle-support and the friction wheel while in initial straight ening position to allow for the removal and insertion of a needle, means for rendering the straightener ineffective While the elements are being returned to initial straightening relation, and means for inserting a needle on said needle-support while the elements are in initial straightening relation.

5. In a straightening machine, in combination, an impact-straightener, a needlesupport, means for retracting said support from and advancing it toward said straightener, and means for feeding a needle to said support while it is in advanced position.

6. In a straightening machine, in combi nation, an impact-straightener, a needlesupport, means for retracting and advancing said support relative to said straightener, means for rendering said straightener effective during the retraction of said support and ineffective while the support is being advanced, means for removing a straightened needle from said support, and means for feeding an unst 'aightened needle to said support while it is in advanced position.

7. In a straightening machine. in combi nation, an impact-straightener, a needlesupport, means coacting with Slllti support for securing and rotating a needle therein,

means for retracting and advancing said support relatively to said straightener, means for rendering said straightener effective during the retraction of said sup port and for rendering it ineffective while the support is being advanced, means for producing relative movement between the support and said needle-securing and rotating means while the support is advanced to allow for the removal and insertion of a needle, and means for feeding a needle thereto while the support is in said advanced position.

8. In a machine for straightening needles or the like, in combination, means for supporting a needle, a hammer, an impact regw lator therefor, a feeler connected with the impact regulator, an arm for supporting the feeler extending transversely of the needle, and means for distributing a series of impacts circumferentially of said needle in a straightening operation.

9. In a needle straightening machine, in combination, needle-supporting means, a hammer, an arm for supporting the hammer extending transversely of the needle, an impact-regulator for the hammer controlled by the needle at the instant of impact, and means for distributing a series of impacts circumferentially of said needle in a straightening operation.

10. In a needle straightening machine, in combination, needle-supporting means, a hammer, an arm for supporting the hammer extending transversely of the needle, an impact regulator for the hammer including a floating feeler adapted to contact with the needle, and means for distributing a series of impacts circumferentially of said needle in a straightening operation.

11. In a straightening machine, the combination with needle-supporting means, needle-rotating means, a hammer, means located at one side of the needle for supporting and operating said hammer, and an automatically acting impact regulator for said hammer comprising a movable feeler adapted to regulate the blow of the hammer according to the eccentricities in the needle.

12. In a needle straightening machine, the combination with needle-supporting means, an impact straightener, means located at one side of the needle for supporting and operating said straightener, means for distributing a series of impacts circumferentially of said needle in a straightening operation and automatic means for controlling the impact of said straightener also located at one side of the needle, said automatic means including a movable feeler adapted to contact with the needle.

13. In a needle straightening machine, in combination, a needle-supporting means, an impact straightener, automatic means for IOU regulating the blow of said straightener comprising a movable feeler adapted to contact with the needle, means for supporting said fecler pivoted on an axis substantially parallel with the needle axis, and means for distributing a series of impacts circumferentially of said needle in a straightening operation.

14. In a straightening machine, in combination, needle-supporting means comprising a member provided with a recess in which the needle is adapted to rest, means for rotating the needle comprising a rotating wheel adapted to operate with its periphery cont-acting with the needle, a hammer for straightening the needle mounted on an arm extending transversely of the needle, and automatic means for controlling the impact of the hammer according to the eccentricities of the needle.

15. In a straightening machine, in combination, needlesupporting means, means for rotating the needle, a hammer adapted to operate on the needle and p-ivotally mounted at one side of the needle, a needle supply, means for removing a needle from the supporting and rotating means, and means for transferring needles from the supply to the supporting and rotating means, said removing and transfer means being located one on the opposite side of the needle from the hammer pivot and the other substantially in alignment with the needle.

16. In a straightening machine, in combination, needle-supporting means, a hammer adapted 'to operate on the needle and mounted on a pivoted arm extending trans versely of the needle, a needle supply, means for removing the straightened needlefrom the support, and means 'fortransferring an unstraightened needle from the supply to said support, one of said latter means being located at one side of the'needle and the other in substantial alignment therewith.

17. In a straightening machine, in combination, a needle-support, a hammer in cluding a pivoted arm extending transverse- ]y of the needle, an automatic impact regulator for said hammer comprising a movable feeler adapted to contact with the needle, means for holding a plurality of needles, means for transferring a needle from said holder to saidsupport, and means for removing a needle from said support, one of said latter means being located at one side of the needle and the-other in substantial alignment therewith, and means for producing relative feeding movement between the needle and hammer during a straightening operation.

18. In a straightening machine, in combination, a plurality of separated needlesupports, means whereby during the straightening operation the needle is rotated by an element having a yielding pressiu'e upon its shank a. straightener operating between said supports comprising a hammer pivoted on an axis extending substantially parallel with the needle-axis, means for removing the straightened needle from the support in a direction transversely of its axis, and means for conveying a needle to said support longitudinally.

19. In a straightening machine, in combination, a needle-support, an impact straightener adapted to operate 011 the needle, means to remove a straightened needle from the support and means to convey an unstraightened needle thereto, one of said means adapted to operate transversely of the needle axis and the other longitudinally thereof.

20. In a needle straightening machine, in combination, a hammer, means for rotating the needle, a feeler including a springpressed contact member operated by the gyratory movements of the needle-blade, an impact regulator for the hammer mechanicallyconnected with said feeler and adapted to control the advance of the hammer toward the needle, said hammer, feeler and impact regulator being mounted. to oscillate about axes extending substantially parallel with the needle axis.

21. In a straightening machine, the combination, with a straightener of separable needle-gripping members, an ejector for removing needles from between said members, an inserter for inserting needles between said members, and means for moving the inserter longitudinally of the needle.

22. In a straightening machine, the combination with a. straightener, of separable needle-gripping members, means for imparting relative movement between the straightener and said gripping means longitudinally of the needle, a needle'ejector movable transversely of the needle, and a needle-insea'ter movable longitiulinally of the needle.

23. In a straightening machine, the combination with an anvil, a hammer and hammer-acuating means, of a needle-support. means for rotating the needle including a rotary friction wheel adjacent the needlesustaining face of said support and having an axis of rotation inclined to the needle, and means movable longitudinally of the needle for inserting a needle between the support and said friction wheel.

24. In a straightening machine, the combination with an anvil, a hammer, a hammer-actuating means, a needle-support, means for rotating the needle including a friction element with its contact surface moving transversely of the needle but at an angle thereto so as to tend to move the needle longitudinally, a stop for one end of the needle to limit wsaid longitudinal movement, means mo "able transversely of ill) the needle for ejecting the same, means movable longitudinally of the needle for inserting the same between said support and said friction element, and means for producing relative feeding n'lovements between the needle-support and the hammer.

25. In a straightening machine, the combination with an anvil, a hammer and hammeractu'ating means, a needle-support, means for rotating the needle including a friction element with its contact surface moving transversely of the needle, means for producing relative movement between the needle-support and said friction element to permit the introduction and removal of a needle, and means movable longitudinally of the needle for inserting a needle between said elements.

26. In a straightening machine, the combination with a needle-support, of an anvil adjustable toward and from said support, a hammer also adjustable toward and from the support and mounted to vibrate about a pivot extending substantially parallel with the needle, hammer-actuating means, means for rotating the needle in the support, means controlled in its action by the deflection of the needle from its axis for varying the action of the hammer, a hopper, means at one side of the needle for ejecting the same from the support, means in substantial alignment with the needle for transferring a needle from the hopper to said support, and means for producing relative feeding movement between the needle and the hammer.

27. In a straightening machine, the combination with an anvil, a needle-support. means for rotating the needle in the support, a hammer mounted to vibrate about a pivot substantially parallel with the needle, and means for producing relative feeding movement between the needle and the hammer, means controlled by the deflection of the needle for determining the effective action of the hammer, means for determining the period of action of the hammer during the feeding operation, means whereby the length of the period of action of the hammer may be varied, means on one side of the needle for ejecting the same from the support, and means movable longitudinally of the needle for placing the same on the support.

28. In a needle-straightening machine, the combination with a plurality of supports upon which the needle is adapted to rest leaving an unsupported portion between them, of an impact straightener pivotally mounted at one side of the needle and operating upon said unsupported portion between said supports, means whereby continuous turning movements are imparted to the needle throughout the straightening operation, means at one side of the needle for ejecting the same, and means movable longitudinally of the needle for placing the same on said supports.

29. In a needlestraightening machine, in combination, a feeler contact member, an arm supporting the same and extending transversely of the needle an impact regulator connected therewith, and means for distributing a series of impacts circumfer entially of said needle in a straightening operation.

30. In a straightening machine, the combination, with needle-supporting means, of an anvil disposed at one side of the needle, a hammer including a head having a path of movement adjacent said anvil and intermediate the latter and the needle-supporting means, and a hammer-head carrying arm extending transversely of the needle, actuating means for said hammer comprising a ratchet mounted to rotate on an axis substantially parallel with the needle, and means for producing between the needle and the hammer relative feeding movements lengthwise of the needle and simultaneous turning movements.

31. In a straightening machine, the combination with needle-supporting means of an anvil disposed at one side of the needle, a hammer including a head having a path of movement adjacent said anvil, and a hammer-head carrying arm extending transversely of the needle, actuating means for said hammer, and an impact regulator for said hammer comprising a movable feeler element actuated by the deflection of the needle from its axis, said feeler element mounted on an arm extending transversely of the needle, and means for rotating the needle during the straightening operation.

32. In a straighteinng machine, in combi nation, needle-supporting means, an impact straightener, a hopper having a discharge opening, a pivoted segment closing the said opening and adapted when moved across said opening to remove a needle from the hopper, and means adapted to grasp and remove the needle from the segment and de posit it on the supporting means.

33. In a straightening machine, in combination, needle-supportingmeans,a straightener for the needle, a hopper, means for removing a needle from the hopper, and separate means for transferring the needle from said latter means to the needle-support.

34:. In a straightening machine, in combination, a needle-supporting means, a straightener, a hopper, means for removing a needle from the hopper, means movable longitudinally of the needle for transferring the needle from said latter means to the support, and means movable transversely of the needle for removing the same from said sup port.

35. In a straightening machine, in combination, needle-supporting means comprising separable clamp-ing elements one of which is adapted to rotate the needle, and means for producing relative movement between said elements, needle-straightening means comprising a hammer mounted on an arm extending transversely of the needle, a needle supply, means movable transversely of the needle for removing the needle from the support when the elements thereof are separated, and means movable longitudinally of the needle for transferring a needle from the supply and inserting it between said elements.

36v In a machine for treating needles or the like, the combination with a needle-support, of means for treating a needle, a needle receptacle, means for transferring needles from the receptacle to the support including a reciprocating bar, a finger pivoted to said bar and adapted to clamp a needle thereagainst, and means operating upon reciprocation of the bar to swing the finger on its pivot.

37. In a machine for treating needles or the like, in combination, a needle-support, means for treating a needle, a needle-receptacle, means for transferring needles from the receptacle to said support including a bar, a clamping finger pivoted to the bar, means for reciprocating the bar, and cam means operating on reciprocation of the bar to swing the finger on its pivot.

88. In a machine for treating needles or the like, in combination, needle-treating means, a needlesupport, a needle receptacle, means for transferring needles from the receptacle to the support including a bar, a finger pivoted to the bar and adapted to clamp a needle thereon, a resilient means tending to turn the finger to clamping position, means for reciprocating the bar, and means operating on reciprocation of the bar to control. the effect of the resilient means.

39. In a machine for treating needles or the like, in combination, needle-treating means, a needle-support, a needle receptacle,

means for removing a needle from the receptacle, means for transferring the needle from said latter means to the needle support including a bar, a finger pivoted to said bar and adapted to clamp a needle, means adapted to reciprocate said bar to advance and retract the same in certain timing re lation with the needle treating means, means operating when the bar is retracted to hold the finger in unclamping position, means adapted to elevate the bar, and means adapted on elevation of the bar to move the finger to clamping position.

40. In a straightening machine, in combination, an impact-straightener, a needle-support, means for producing relative feeding movements between the straightener and the needle-support during a straightening operation and for restoring the initial relation between them after the straightening operation is completed, and means for endwise presenting a needle to said support in the initial straightening relation of the elements.

ll. In a straightening machine, the combination with needle-shank supporting means, and an impact-straightener, a needlehopper, means for agitaing the needles in said hopper to urge them into substantial parallelism, and means for endwise delivering the needles to said supporting means from said hopper.

42. In a straightening machine, in combination, needle-supporting means, an impact straightener, a hopper having a discharge opening, a pivoted segment closing said opening and adapted when moved across said opening tol remove a needle from the hopper, means for oscillating said segment to agitate the needles to urge them into sub stantial parallelism, and means for presenting a needle removed from said hopper to said supporting means.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

MAXIVELL L. REIDINGER. 

